Institution at St Simon and St Philip

Wednesday May 23rd 2007

The Rev Paul Jack. The institution of the Rev Paul Jack as rector of the United Parish of St Simon and St Philip took place in St Simon’s Parish Church, Donegall Road, Belfast, on Friday May 25.

As commissary for the Bishop of Connor, the Ven Dr Stephen McBride, Archdeacon of Connor, conducted the service of institution. The preacher was the Rt Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of Saint Andrew’s, Dunkeld and Dunblane. The service was attended by more than 400 people.

A native of Belfast, Rev Jack has been curate-assistant at Seagoe Parish in the Diocese of Down and Dromore for almost six years. His primary degree was in Biochemistry from Queen’s University, Belfast. He then undertook a Masters degree in Biotechnology at University College, Galway, and worked in industry for a number of years prior to training for ministry in Dublin.

Rev Jack began ministry as a curate-assistant in the Parish of St Patrick’s, Jordanstown, Connor diocese, where he remained for two years before moving to Seagoe. He is married to Claire and they have three children, Susannah, 8, Patrick, 6, and Katherine, 2.

Rev Jack said: “I am very much looking forward to moving to the United Parish of St Simon and St Philip and God’s calling to minister amongst the people there, with all the possibilities and opportunities which that will bring.”